We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. "Many people are still going to be admitted to the ICU, and some people are still going to need to have mechanical ventilation.". The boosted people, in many cases it's almost like an old cold: the sinus symptoms, the sore throat.". A sinus infection, sinusitis, occurs when your sinuses become inflamedand blocked. "People that are vaccinated have a middle-of-the-way course. Is that winter sniffle a cold or a sinus infection? This article explains how to tell the difference between a a sinus infection and COVID-19. "Omicron versus delta are really more similar than they are different.". Fatigue. Whats the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Regular Pneumonia? (By contrast, with the original version of the virus, the rate was 1 in 10. While allergies tend to come up during childhood, its possible to develop allergies to new substances as an adult. Patients with severe COVID migraine/headache phenomenon may also suffer from some chronic COVID brain symptoms (like chemo brain for patients receiving toxic chemotherapy). Children's Health, Cold and Flu, Infectious Diseases. ", How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast, If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer, editor, and adjunct lecturer of writing composition at George Washington University. Read our, Causes and Risk Factors of Sinus Infection, COVID-19 Treatments: What You Need to Know, Have Spring Allergies? Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, but bacterial infections also can cause it. People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. This fits with early data from the U.K. showing that fever and cough are not as prevalent with omicron cases there and that the five top symptoms are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. Sinus infection (sinusitis): types, causes, symptoms & treatment. Some common sinus infection treatments include: According to the CDC, antibiotics are usually not needed for viral sinus infections. Basically, when your immune system is already fighting off a disease, its easier for other pathogens to infect. With a scientific background and a passion for creative writing, her work illustrates the value of evidence-based information and creativity in advancing public health. Learn about treatments to help release the pressure and clear up a toothache. Sometimes rinsing out your sinuses can help. Since sinus infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics dont generally help. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has surged in the U.K. and is now dominant in the U.S. as well. COVID-19 and sinus infections both involve the respiratory system. Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed. Visit the link below to find UNC Health Care providers. (2016). Get the best food tips and diet advice This may be present with runny nose as well, usually on both sides. Several studies have found that the incubation period the time it takes to develop symptoms after being exposed is about three days. And among unvaccinated people, he says, an omicron infection can feel like the same unforgiving disease to him. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and, in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. Persisting sinus headache affecting the frontal and ethmoid sinus areas (regions between the eyes and up onto the forehead) is the most common symptom following bacterial-negative COVID sinusitis. "In the older age group, it's still a nasty disease, even if it's less [nasty] than the delta variant," says Dr. Pamela Davis, who's a pulmonologist at Case Western Reserve University and a senior author on the new study. Hearing Aids Better For Dementia Than Pills. As of this month, less than 20% of people in the UK who recorded a positive COVID-19 test were logging the symptom into the Zoe app. The symptoms of a sinus infection include coughing, congestion fever and headacheall of which are symptoms of COVID-19, too. 8. For example, if you have a sinus infection that is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine. American Lung Association. There are also other precautions that you should take not just to protect yourself from COVID but to help ensure that you do not spread the virus to other people. Be on . A sinus infection occurs when viruses or bacteria cause inflammation and fluid buildup inside your sinuses. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. For example, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are more likely with COVID-19, while facial pain is more specific to a sinus infection. Certainly, while most healthy people will only have mild symptoms, this virus still can cause severe illness in people who are immunosuppressed, including the elderly. This itchiness is one of the key distinguishing factors between allergies and sinusitis. Whether your sinus infection turns out to be viral or bacterial, you can help to ease your symptoms early on with supportive sinus care: If your symptoms arent improving after one week, its important to see your doctor. For milder cases and those within the first 10 days, over the counter medications and at-home treatments include: Decongestants are not recommended for adults or children with acute sinusitis and should not be used for more than three to five days in order to prevent rebound congestion. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. How can you tell if you have a sinus infection or COVID-19? Sore throat Hoarse voice Cough Fatigue Nasal congestion Runny nose Headache Muscle aches Unlike earlier variants like delta that affected the lungs, omicron and its subvariants tend to cause more. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infectionsverydifferently. "Cough is still part of the symptoms," Moreno said. Like the science and discovery news you find here? Sinusitis. While you may experience a fever, headache, and cough if you have COVID, you can also have these and other respiratory symptoms if you have another infection or condition. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097. The rise of the Omicron variant has only made the situation more complex. The lists of symptoms below are just a starting point and do not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19 or a sinus infection. Compare the following symptoms to see if you have allergies or a possible sinus infection. Typically we allow 7 to 10 days for an acute sinus infection to resolve on its own, but after this point antibiotics or anti-inflammatories or other specialized medications may be needed. But it has taken longer to untangle what, if anything, sets an omicron illness apart from that of its predecessors. While mild fever may accompany early onset of the cold and is common in children or infants with it, its not a typical feature of this illness in adults. For example, make sure you wash your hands often and try not to touch your face, nose, or eyes during cold/flu season. Cardiology, Health Disparities, Heart and Vascular Health, Heart Attacks, Research, Women's Health. A positive COVID-19 test means you need to isolate. Your doctor might check your mucus or do an imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. Cases of sinus infection that last longer than 12 weeks are considered chronic. They are highly contagious, with younger children, seniors, those with respiratory conditions, and those with compromised immunity more prone. Subscribe. While it's welcome news that omicron is easier on the lungs, ProHEALTH's Griffin says it's not that way for some of his patients. However, Omicron should not be blown off or not taken seriously. Underlying allergy inflammation can lead to sinus infections. Sinus infections and COVID are not caused by the same things. Doctors studying Omicron's spread around the world have found new clues to the pattern of symptoms caused by the highly-mutated COVID-19 variant, which a growing number of reports suggest might . Do You Have Just a Sore Throat or Is It Strep? "I've seen a lot more people reporting fatigue as one of their main symptoms," he said. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Almost as soon as Omicron started spreading, doctors noticed slight differences in their patients' symptoms relative to prior variants. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. The two share certain symptoms, but also have differences. Many people report that one of the first symptoms of Omicron is a sore throat. Allergies and sinus infections can have similar symptoms. Another factor in appropriate treatment is a person's risk factors for severe disease. This causes an inflammation of the tissues, preventing mucus from exiting the body, and making the sinuses a kind of breeding-ground for germs. The rapid ones are getting better and better as far as accuracy goes. To help you figure it out, lets take a closer look at sinusitis. These observations also line up with lab research that shows omicron does not replicate in lung tissue as well as delta. Youll also want to wash your hair before bed after being outside and keep your windows closed when pollen counts are high. } else { A sinus infection that lasts for months is chronic sinusitis, which can be caused by an infection or growths in the nasal cavity. Get articles and stories about health, wellness, medicine, science and education delivered right to your inbox from the experts at Ohio State. As at earlier stages in the pandemic, many patients are still having some combination of fever, gastrointestinal problems, aches and pains, brain fog, weakness and, less often, trouble breathing, says Mount Sinai's Carr. In general, people are contagious for two to three days before COVID-19 symptoms start. Patients with chronic sinusitis have complaints of nasal blockage, facial pressure, eye pressure, runny nose, postnasal drip and headache. However, if you develop severe illness, you may need to receive medical care in the hospital. Is your cold really a sinus infection? Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: The Procedure and Recovery Process. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Taking the time to properly rest and recover will help ensure your illness doesn't progress into something worse. If symptoms dont go away after three months, youre considered to have a chronic sinus infection. However, bacterial sinusitis cant be transmitted from person to person. runny nose stuffy nose sore throat "Omicron, [meanwhile,] is less likely to invade the lungs," Dr. Singh says. And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. So its important to wait and see how long your symptoms last. Heres a quick breakdown: While most coldsand even sinus infectionsclear up on their own, its important to know when you need medical help. Allergies can develop at any point in your life. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University analyzed health records from more than a half-million people infected with SARS-CoV-2 across the country, including 14,000 people possibly infected with omicron from Dec. 15 to 24, after the variant became dominant. When they become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria can grow there and cause. For example, if someone has a mild case, they can generally treat their symptoms at home. The charts below show which Omicron symptoms are most common and how they compare to prior variants. Sinusitis happens when your sinuses thenormally air-filledpockets in your face become inflamedand blocked. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Its always better to be safe than sorry. Severe allergies can lead to a cold-like condition called allergic rhinitis. Often the focus of treatment involves managing the severity of symptoms as natural immunity takes over. You dont ever treat with antibiotics unless its been more than 10 to 14 days because, in that situation, you may have a bacterial infection, Dr. Ruff says. A bacterial sinus infection will last seven to 10 days or longer and may get worse after a week. Another factor to look at is how long you've been sick. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. If youre having symptoms, heres when you should call a doctor: Distinguishing between the common cold and sinus infections can be challenging for patients and healthcare providers. This article covers the key similarities and differences between the common cold and sinus infection, as well as what care looks like for these respiratory diseases. You cant, on the other hand, fully prevent allergies. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. You should also make an appointment if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve despite home treatments. Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants. People have reported symptoms that vary, but are similar to signs of a common cold or flu. Sore throats were often coupled with sinus congestion and headache, he added, followed by a cough a day or so later. You should also see your doctor if your OTC antihistamines arent working. You can expect to experience many colds throughout your life. This was the case even before omicron: People who had breakthrough infections tended to have fewer symptoms and milder ones than those who were unvaccinated. Persisting " sinus headache " affecting the frontal and ethmoid sinus areas (regions between the eyes and up onto the forehead) is the most common symptom following bacterial-negative COVID sinusitis. Occurring in an estimated 11.6% of American adults, these infections of the nasal passages tend to be more severe. However, an allergy cough is wet, while a COVID-19 cough is dry; and fatigue with allergies tends to be milder than fatigue associated with COVID-19. Here's How to Look Decades Younger, "While the variant is considered less severe, more people have it than ever before and people are not isolated like in the early phases of the pandemic," says Walker. On average, adults have two to four colds a year, with infants and young children experiencing six to eight. ", "While omicron does appear to be less severe compared to delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorized as 'mild,' " said the World Health Organization's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); The primary symptoms of sinus infections include: In a majority of cases, sinus infections resolve as your bodys immune system attacks and destroys the infecting pathogens. Because symptoms can overlap, I recommend discussing your condition with your physician and/or getting tested if you think youve got COVID-19. "So this is really something that's different between omicron and delta," Xu says. Walker says, "Omicron symptoms tend to be more concentrated on the upper respiratory tract. Many of the patients who are being hospitalized often have some underlying health condition, or they're older and more vulnerable to a viral infection. For example, an omicron infection may lead to complications of an existing condition such as diabetes or heart failure. One of the key differences is the itchiness of your eyes and skin that can occur with allergies, as well as the thick, yellow or green nasal discharge thats notable with sinusitis. All rights reserved. A sinus infection is diagnosed based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. There are differences, but step one if you start to feel bad is to get a COVID test.. <
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